The Rockies probably aren’t going to make the playoffs. In fact, most people wouldn’t bother using the word probably.

When you’re eight games under .500 and nine games out of first place in August, you don’t deserve any love. And the Rockies don’t expect any.

“We’re aware of it, believe me,’’ said Rockies manager Jim Tracy. “When we walk in this clubhouse and we deal with some of the heartache we’ve dealt with this year, there are more than just a handful of games (they could have won). You have to move it off to the side and show up again the next day.

SAN FRANCISCO — This may be the most politically correct city in America, so here goes: The Giants are, um, offensively challenged.

OK, OK, there’s no crying or mincing words in baseball. The Giants can’t hit. Or at least they don’t hit much.
They went into tonight’s Game 5 of the NLCS hitting .218 in the playoffs, but were on the verge of going to the World Series because their pitchers had held the Braves and Phillies to a .195 average.

Jim Tracy is Midwest through and through. Kind, honest, hard-working, diligent. It’s one of the reasons he loves players such as Clint Barmes.

Now, Tracy is getting an honor worthy of the heartland.

Tracy’s hometown of Hamilton, Ohio, is naming a street after him. The City Council in Hamilton, a town near Cincinnati in southwest Ohio, will vote Wednesday on the resolution. The plan is to dedicate “Jim Tracy Way” — a park road — with the manager in attendance on Thursday. The Rockies begin a three-game series with the Reds on Friday.

The 54-year-old graduate of Hamilton Badin High School was a star football and baseball player.

Tracy and Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook, also a Hamilton native, were honored last year during
“Hamilton Night” at a Reds’ game.

Tracy was the 2009 National League manager of the year after leading the Rockies from the cellar to the playoffs.

According to the Hamilton Journal News, city officials say Tracy has not only been a success story, but he also has shown admirable character and continues to support his hometown. The resolution The resolution praises Tracy for bringing “positive notoriety and acclaim” to his hometown.

TUCSON — Hang out at Rockies camp long enough and you can feel it, taste it, almost touch it. It’s a feeling of quiet confidence that, frankly, the franchise has never known.

Not after making the playoffs in 1995, and not after making it to the World Series in 2007.

By the time 2009 arrived, 2007 was looking more like a fluke than a historic accomplishment. The Rockies had bombed in ’08 under the weight of heightened expectations, leading many to think they had regressed to their wretched days of old.

But this spring, after a second playoff appearance in three years, things are dramatically different. The Rockies can’t wait to get started on what they believe will be a third playoff appearance in four seasons.

“The one thing I’ve noticed different in this camp is that there’s an air of confidence we’ve never had,” said Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd. “They’re not afraid of expectations this year whereas before I think they were.

“I don’t think they’re afraid of what anybody has to say. I don’t think it’s going to change who they are or how they go about their job, but there’s definitely more confidence this year.”

The whole picture. As in Tulo’s bat and defense and leadership and intangibles. He plays a more critical defensive position than Pujols. He has emerged as the Rockies’ team leader, along with Todd Helton, after just three full seasons in the majors.

For all those reasons, what the heck: Tulo for MVP! Even though Pujols figures to win it again. And again. And again. And …

TUCSON — Outfielders Brad Hawpe and Seth Smith can be excused for thinking they took at wrong turn in Albuquerque. The outfielders led the next wave of arriving position players today, and they were greeted by a 37-degree chill at Hi Corbett Field.
“It’s going to be cold when we are working out, that’s for sure,’’ Smith said.
There are few players with uncertainty surrounding them this spring, but Hawpe qualifies, if only because of how last year finished. Hawpe found himself sitting in the playoffs after struggling down the stretch.
He has always been a good teammate, and even though he was disappointed, Hawpe took the high road. The Rockies love his work ethic and his leadership in the clubhouse. It’s why, even with crazy outfield depth, that general manager Dan O’Dowd never shopped Hawpe this winter. He has a club option for next season, but it can be voided if he’s traded.
The Rockies could have the strongest five outfielders in the business, with Smith and Ryan Spilborghs reserves who could start for several teams. And while Hawpe’s finish draws focus, he was an all-star last season who is capable of putting a team on its back with his power.

Footnotes
Talked to pitcher Esmil Rogers today. He threw more than 30 innings in winter ball for Licey. And no, he wasn’t there when manager Jose Offerman went ballistic on an umpire and received a lifetime ban. “I was watching on TV. That was crazy,’’ Rogers said. … Ubaldo Jimenez has arrived. He had run of the clubhouse stereo this morning. Even showing off a few dance moves. … Manuel Corpas’ right hamstring was wrapped, but he’s feeling better. He spent part of this offseason working out in Bakersfield, Calif, followed by a long stint in the Dominican Republic.

Jerry Schemmel, the new radio voice for the Rockies, will depart for spring training in Tucson on Wednesday.

The longtime voice of the Nuggets (17 1/2 seasons) is returning to his first love. In fact, Schemmel loves baseball so much, he coached Metro State College for a season. He also spent a summer calling minor-league games in Billings, Mont.

As part of The Denver Post’s new feature called “Fan Mail,” Schemmel will take readers questions on all things Rockies and Nuggets. If you have a question for Schemmel, go to fanmail@denverpost.com. If you want to find out about his home run call, his view of the Rockies or have questions about the Nuggets as they head toward the playoffs, this is your chance.

Schemmel’s life is an inspiration. On July 19, 1989, Schemmel boarded United Airlines Flight 232, originating in Denver and bound for Chicago. An in-flight engine explosion crippled the plane and forced it to crash land in Sioux City, Iowa, killing 112 of the 296 onboard.

After the tragedy, Schemmel authored the book, “Chosen To Live.” It chronicles the crash of flight 232 and its subsequent effects on his life. The book has been featured in such publications as Reader’s Digest, Hoop Magazine, Sports Spectrum and Guideposts.

The Rockies return to Tucson's Hi Corbett Field this week for spring training. (Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)

TUCSON — Not so fast, Sparky.

DENVER — I haven’t left yet for Rockies spring training, but I’m counting down the hours. My new gig, just so you know, is my old gig. I covered the Rockies for The Post in their first two seasons, and now I’m back on the beat.

They keep telling me it’s a promotion. But then, they keep telling me the economy is rolling down the tracks too. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m back covering my favorite sport.

But enough about who’s doing the typing. What matters is what I figure to see once I arrive for the Rockies’ final spring in Tucson. As in, stability.

Spring training is less than a week away. Pitchers and catchers report — one of the greatest phrases in the English language. Before heading to Tucson, we take one last look back at 2009. The local chapter of the BBWAA chapter announced their award winners today.

Player of the Year: Troy Tulowitzki
Pitcher of the Year: Ubaldo Jimenez
Rookie of the Year: Dexter Fowler
Good Guy (in dealing with the media): Huston Street

Tulowitzki rebounded from a slow April (.200, five RBIs) to finish with a .292 average, 32 home runs and 92 RBIs. Told of the award this morning, Tulowitzki said “nice” and thanked those writers who voted for him. Jimenez went 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA, pitching at least six innings in 29 starts. Fowler batted .266 with a franchise record 27 stolen bases for a rookie. Street was always accessible to reporters, and stood by his locker for nearly an hour answering questions after the Rockies were eliminated in the playoffs.

Thanks to all who have emailed or blogged their prediction. Let’s just say at 89, I came in low. Not one of the dozens of people who have responded have come in lower than 90. That’s passion. And maybe a little blindness from purple-tinted glasses. Regardless, the consensus is obvious: this team should be really good.

And that’s without the starting catcher from the final two months of the season. Yorvit Torrealba is talking to the Padres about a one-year deal. Talked to his agent this morning and he said that a deal isn’t done yet.

Question for the day: Who wins more games this season, Clayton Kershaw or Brandon Webb?

My opinion is that if Kershaw becomes an ace, the Dodgers will make the playoffs. If Webb recovers from shoulder surgery, the Diamondbacks could be a big surprise in the NL West. Let me know who you think gets more victories – which I know are subjective to defense, offense, park, etc. Just curious.

DENVER — In the process of finalizing the contract for catcher Miguel Olivo last week, agent Martin Arburua talked with the Rockies about client Miguel Batista.

The right-handed reliever worked 56 games for the Seattle Mariners last season, compiling a 4.04 ERA. He will be 39 next month, but brings a unique durability, having worked as a starter and reliever for years. Bautista also enjoyed some of his best years in the National League West with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I have talked with them a little bit about (Batista),” Arburua said. “He’s strong and healthy and in their budget. He definitely wants to keep playing.”

The Rockies sealed their one-year contract with a mutual option with Olivo after the catcher underwent a physical last week. Olivo is guaranteed $2.5 million, but it could mushroom. If Olivo starts roughly 105 games, he can make $500,000 in incentives this season and his $2.5 million mutual option for 2011 can vest. Olivo wasn’t guaranteed anything other than a chance to compete with Chris Iannetta for the starting job.

“They made it clear that it will be, ‘Let the best man win.’ And if you don’t win, it’s a team effort,” Arburua said. “They had a great presentation, made it obvious that they care about the player and the person. This is a great opportunity for a fellow who is coming from a last-place team and wants to go to the playoffs.”

Footnotes
Iannetta has been working out in the Boston-area with pitcher Jason Hammel, focusing on his hitting and throwing footwork. “It’s been a good offseason,” Iannetta said. … Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will be speak at a fundraising dinner for the CSU-Pueblo baseball team later this month. Rockies third base coach Rich Dauer is a lifelong friend of Thunderwolves’ coach Stan Sanchez. “I like doing stuff for the kids,” Tulowitzki said.

DENVER — The idea that Troy Tulowitzki would appear on an NL MVP ballot seemed preposterous on May 28.
He was hitting .226 with five home runs when manager Jim Tracy took over. The Rockies were buried in the National League West basement. To finish .500 was an ambitious thought. The playoffs weren’t even mentioned.

But after changing to an upright batting stance at Tracy’s suggestion, Tulowitzki went off, helping lead the Rockies to the postseason with four spectacular months. Tulowitzki finished fifth in the NL MVP voting today after hitting .297 with 32 home runs and 92 RBIs. The Cardinals’ Albert Pujols was an unanimous selection, followed by Florida’s Hanley Ramirez, Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, the Brewers’ Prince Fielder and Tulowitzki.

“It’s an honor to be in the top 5 in the voting, but it would not be possible without my great teammates and coaches,” Tulowitkzi told The Denver Post today. “Individual awards are great, don’t get me wrong. But winning a World Series is why I play the game.”

Tulowitzki benefited greatly from Tracy’s leadership. Tracy showed confidence in him, and never removed him out of the lineup unless it was related to an injury, a stark departure from multiple benchings from previous boss Clint Hurdle in April and May.

“It’s a long season. And it’s not an easy game, but even great players go through slumps,” explained Tulowitzki about his turnaround. “But it makes it that much more special when you finish strong and help down the stretch.”

“When he became the offensive threat that’s when we became a playoff contender,” Iannetta said today. “He was one of the catalysts behind our transformation. It just speaks to his character, integrity and tremendous work ethic.”

PHILADELPHIA — The Rockies scored points with diehard fans without playing a game. A few season-ticket holders wrote me this weekend, saying that they received a letter saying that their ticket prices will not be raised next season.
The letter read: “Your support and loyalty as a Season Ticket Holder is greatly appreciated and we are pleased to announce that season ticket prices will remain the same in 2010 as they were in 2009.”

A team official could not confirm the news until Monday, but I hope have more information on all ticket prices then.

The Rockies reached the playoffs last season for the second time in three years. And despite an increase in attendance last season, owner Dick Monfort told me that revenues dropped because of lost season-ticket holders and more fans buying less expensive seats. The Rockies do not reveal their season ticket base, but they are believed to have lost roughly 5,000-season ticket-holders, putting them in somewhere in the 12,000 to 13,000 range.

Ubaldo Jimenez watches a triple hit by Jayson Werth in the sixth inning. (Photo by Andy Cross, The Denver Post) See more photos.

Patrick Saunders and Jim Armstrong are reporting live from Philadelphia…

Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez strong-armed the Phillies’ batters early, but a three-run sixth inning bumped him from the mound. Philadelphia had doubles from Raul Ibañez and Carlos Ruiz and a triple from Jayson Werth for a a 5-0 victory.

In a windy start to the Rockies’ NLDS matchup with Philadelphia Game 1, Colorado threatened offensively in the early innings, but remained scoreless.

SEVENTH INNING

…The Phillies continued running loose on the bases, Shane Victorino stealing third on a helpless Yorvit Torrealba. However, Helton erased Victorino, snagging a line drive by Ryan Howard and throwing across the diamond to double up Victorino. —Patrick Saunders

…Lee has morphed into Sandy Koufax. He set down 16 Rockies in a row until Garrett Atkins hit a triple to right. He’s needed just 85 pitches to get through seven. It looks like the Phillies’ bullpen won’t be an issue in Game 1. —Patrick Saunders

…Rollins looked like Willie Mays with that basket catch. But I don’t think Willie ever made one on an infield popup. If you didn’t think before that play that the wind was playing tricks, you do now. —Jim Armstrong

SIXTH INNING

…The sixth finally ends with the Phillies in front 5-0. Jimenez’s day is done — five innings, plus three batters, five runs on nine hits, four strikeouts, one walk. He didn’t pitch like an ace and seemed to wilt when things got hot. It’s hard to blame him, the ballpark is a tough place to play. Fans smell blood in the water. —Patrick Saunders

…Give the Phillies credit. They know how to get off to fast starts in the playoffs. If they hold on today, they’ll have won four straight series openers since being swept by the Rox in the ’07 NLDS. —Jim Armstrong

…Howard’s ball was the first so dramatically affected by the wind that it kept a fielder from catching it. Cargo catches that ball easily with no wind. He turned it into a difficult play. Overran it. —Jim Armstrong

…Lee has set down 14 in a row. Is there a complete game in his future? The Rockies were shut out nine times this season, all on the road. No. 10 is looming. —Patrick Saunders

FIFTH INNING

…The Phillies took advantage of Colorado’s Achilles’ heel — lack of fastball command that always seems to haunt Jimenez at least one inning every game.

And it just got bigger. Carlos Ruiz worked Jimenez to a 3-2 count and hit and single to right, which Brad Hawpe badly misplayed. Ibanez scored easily and Ruiz ended up on second. It’s 2-0 going into the sixth. The Rockies would like to reach the Philly bullpen, but it won’t happen soon with Lee smothering the Rockies’ bats. — Patrick Saunders

…How much trouble are the Rockies in now that the Phillies have scored two runs? Consider this: They were shut out nine times this season, and all nine were on the road. —Jim Armstrong

…Lee has set down 11 in a row. Things aren’t looking rosy for the boys in the black vests. Lee has needed just 58 pitches to get through five innings. Not exactly the plan of attack the Rockies wanted to follow. Now it’s Señor Jimenez’s turn to set down the Phils and their Phanatics. — Patrick Saunders

Clint Barmes gets Jayson Werth out at second base in the second inning. (Photo by Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

FOURTH INNING

…Ladies and gentlemen, on the off chance you haven’t noticed, Señor Jimenez is dealin’. He may only need one run to work with. Howard sure looked safe. The next call the umps get right may be the first. Phillies, FYI, led the majors with an 81-pct. stolen-base percentage, including 23 for 23 by Chase Utley. The key is to get on base against Jimenez. Easier said than done today. He is officially in a groove. — Jim Armstrong

…Lee is locked in now. Did the Rockies miss their chance in the first and second? That nasty habit of leaving runners on base could come back to haunt them.

The wind continues to be a major player. Gusts look like they are going to blow Jimenez off the mound. He’s already paused twice to allow a small dust storm to pass through.

FYI … the steal by Lee in the third inning was the first steal by a pitcher in Phillies’ postseason history. — Patrick Saunders

(Photo by Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

THIRD INNING

…The Rockies went down without a peep in the top of the inning. The Phillies got a hit — and stolen base — from Lee in the bottom of the frame. And oh yeah, there was another blow call. Jimenez picked off Lee at second but ump Jerry Meals missed it. It didn’t matter. Jimenez whiffed Jimmy Rollins on a nasty curveball. That’s 3 Ks and counting for Jimenez. —Patrick Saunders

SECOND INNING

… Jimenez showed Phillies slugger Ryan Howard a big hook and Howard just froze, striking out to lead off the inning. A slick Tulo-to-Barmes-to-Helton double play ended the inning. Jimenez has brought his A-plus game so far. —Patrick Saunders

…Another blown call! This time it worked against the Rockies. After reaching on a double down the third baseline, Yorvit Torrealba tried to reach third on a fly to right field. Torrealba tagged up and clearly beat the three-hopper from Jayson Werth. Third-base umpire was Ron Kulpa was on top of the call, but he simply missed it. The double played ended the Rockies chance to take an early lead. — Patrick Saunders

…They’re saying the wind is 26 mph. Miles per second maybe. It’s howlin’. I think I just saw Dorothy’s house fly by. Toto says hi. Look out for Ryan Howard and those other lefty sluggers. There’s a big-time jetstream to right field. –Jim Armstrong

FIRST INNING

…Garrett Atkins is in the starting lineup to drive in runs, but he missed his chance in the first.
Carlos Gonzalez was perched on third and Tulo was on first. Atkins got a pitch to hit from Phillies lefty Cliff Lee, but popped it up to Shane Victorino in center. Shane Victorino circled under the ball like he’d had a few too many, an early indication that the wind is going to play havoc today. –Patrick Saunders

…Defensively, Jimenez was strong. He got Phillies slugger Chase Utley out on a called third striek. No huge shock. Utley’s been struggling big time: .193 with two homers in 114 ABs since Sept. 1. — Jim Armstrong

(Dexter Fowler flies out in the first inning. Photo by Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

“It seems like everybody is doing it,” said Dexter Fowler, who will hit first today with a 34-inch, tan-colored Max bat when he leads off. “You’ll see.”

A look around proved he was right. Ryan Spilborghs? Beard. “It makes me about a month to have a full beard. I haven’t shaved in a week, so it’s coming in.” Ian Stewart? Beard. Helton, yes. Even Atkins.

So who will have the worst? One of the guys who won’t even attempt it.
“My would come in in sprouts. It would look terrible,” said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Stewart agreed, “It would be patches. He would easily be the worst.”

LOS ANGELES – The Rockies will either host the Cardinals or travel to Philadelphia for the first round of the playoffs.

Colorado can still win the wild NL West with victories tonight and Sunday at Dodger Stadium. If the do, they will host the Cardinals beginning Wednesday at Coors Field.

If they don’t finish the regular season with a sweep of the Dodgers, the Rockies become the wildcard team and are bound for Philly and Citizens Bank Park where the Rockies took two from the Phillies in 2007 en route to their first World Series.

Those two remaining postseason scenarios unfolded earlier today when the slumping Cardinals lost 5-4 to the Brewers. The loss was the Cardinals’ seventh in their past nine games and eliminated any chance they had of opening the NLDS at home.

As Troy Renck explained in today’s Post, Clint Barmes’ doubling-up of Albert Pujols on an over-the-shoulder, tumbling catch and throw-out to end the game Sunday may end up saving the Rockies’ season.

But there’s more to the story. Maybe. If you’ve seen the replay, Barmes’ catch happened very fast. He sprinted to right field, fell over, rolled, sprang up and threw to first. All within maybe three seconds. TV cameras show it all from a distance.

Two photographers, though, got a different angle of Barmes’ play.

The first comes from Post photog Hyoung Chang. One of his photos can be found on the front page of today’s sports section:

But he also took this photo, which didn’t make the paper:

Clearly, Barmes is bobbling the ball on his way down. But it’s not clear in that photo what happens next.

It looks as if the ball hits the ground. Craig posted a series of photos at his Rockies photos blog, if you want to see the progression.

Barmes said after the game: “It all happened so fast. I know that it was in my glove, or it hit my glove. And I think as I was going down it hit my glove and then it went across my body or something. I don’t know. I know I came up with it in my bare hand.”

DENVER — If there has been a flickering light in the Rockies’ recent dark play, it’s the performance of Clint Barmes and Brad Hawpe. Both are heating up after enduring chilling slumps. Hawpe homered and doubled in Saturday’s loss and was rewarded, moving back to the fifth spot in the lineup. He hit seventh last night for the first time all season. Barmes remains entrenched at second base. As I wrote today in my column, don’t be surprised if the Rockies try to lock up Barmes to a multi-year deal this offseason. I am guessing two years, $10-million with a club option in his first year of free agency. Yes, the club likes Eric Young Jr. But he could fit next year as a bench player, and he has solid trade value.

Pittsburgh, for one, made a strong play for him this season.

As for Hawpe, he said this of his situation:
“You want to get 20-plus hits over the remaining games, but it doesn’t always work out that way,” Hawpe said. “It’s about winning and getting into the playoffs.”

Carlos Gonzalez moves over the center field today, with Seth Smith in left. Dexter Fowler, who has been starting in center, gets a rest.

Players wandered in a little later today, which is typical on Sundays. There are no visible signs of stress, other than guys worried about finalizing their fantasy football lineups.
A look at the Rockies’ lineup:
CF Gonzalez
LF Smith
1B Helton
SS Tulowitzki
RF Hawpe
C Torrealba
3B Stewart
2B Barmes
LHP De La Rosa

DENVER — Rockies’ outfielder Carlos Gonzalez looked ready for a chair lift. But he was not ready to crack the lineup. Wearing a ski cap atop his head, Gonzalez ran light sprints with trainer Keith Duigger in right field today. He’s feeling a little better, but the team is taking the safe route, having him miss his second consecutive game with tightness in his left hamstring.

“They said the (tightness) is going to be there the rest of the season. The only way it would get better is complete rest,” Gonzalez told me. “I can deal with it.”

Manager Jim Tracy was more specific than he has been in recent days about his young outfielder.

“We are backing off,” Tracy said. “He will be available to hit. But I wouldn’t put him out there where he has to run. The injury is near the bottom of the hamstring so we have to be very careful.”

Manager Jim Tracy wants Gonzalez to be as close to 100 percent as possible before returning — for good reason. Given the nature of the injury, a sudden burst could sideline the outfield for three weeks, or much of the playoffs that the Rockies plan on participating in.

Gonzalez has been arriving at the clubhouse around 1 p.m. for treatment. His preference would be to play today. But he also understands what the club is balancing. Seth Smith is starting in left field.

Just talked to Rafael Betancourt to get more info on his sore right hamstring. He was available last night, but wasn’t needed as the Rockies trailed. Betancourt told me something interesting about the injury which he sustained during pregame jogging in San Diego. Every pitch during his save in San Francisco hurt. “I could really feel it, especially when I ran to cover a base,” he said. It’s fine now. I am ready to go.”

By the way, Betancourt was signed as a shortstop and his idol was Omar Vizquel. He told me that he loved watching Vizquel taking infield during their three years together in Cleveland.

DENVER — It’s hard to believe that in April the Rockies had the second-worst bullpen in the National League, better than only the Nationals. It has been a team strength since June 1, which, not coincidentally, is when the Rockies’ season turned around. The bullpen will get deeper and better with today’s news. Top setup man Rafael Betancourt threw a bullpen session today, and had no issues with his sore left calf. He should be available tonight, and if not, definitely on Thursday.

Huston Street’s return to the closing role obviously helps immensely. Just talked to catcher Yorvit Torrealba about Street’s outing and he said, “what impressed me is the location of his fastball. He kept it down and away where I wanted it. And his slider was nasty.” Added reliever Matt Daley, “Having him back makes all the difference in the world.”

That’s because roles become more defined again. Franklin Morales slides back to the seventh/eighth, forming a bridge with Betancourt. That leaves Daley, Flores, Belisle, among others, to gobble up earlier outs or be used for specific matchups.

As for other notes:
–Alan Embree, out since the first of July with a broken leg, will go to the instructional league. Still a long shot that he will be back, but it hasn’t been ruled out. Manuel Corpas is scheduled to pitch in the instructional league, following Jeff Francis’ outing. Corpas has told me repeatedly that he’s not going to pitch in the big leagues this season. But if the Rockies go deep into the playoffs and have an injury, it still exists as a possibility.

–Morales, according to manager Jim Tracy, has found his niche as a reliever because he’s “an attacker like the guy I had in L.A., Eric Gagne.” Morales has said he would like to start in winterball. Again, I think his future is likely as a late-inning reliever and eventually a closer.

–Mets outfielder Jeff Francouer told The New York Post that good friend Jason Marquis would “love to come’’ to New York as a free agent. Marquis said Tuesday he hoped a lot of teams would have interest in him, but downplayed the report. “I hope there are a lot of teams that want a guy that can win 15 games and work 200 innings,” Marquis told me today.

–Carlos Gonzalez told me that his left hamstring is still a little tight. “I hope with treatment I can be in there tomorrow. I understand they want to be careful because of the weather. But if I am going to have to play in this during the playoffs if we get there.”

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.